As the warmth of spring brings buds and leaves begin to emerge, it's a good time to think about giving your shrubs some TLC. Pruning is important for maintaining the health, shape, and vitality of your plants, but not knowing what you are doing can affect the look of your plants for years to come.
Timing:
Spring can be a good time for pruning many shrubs, as it allows them to recover and before the growing season kicks into full gear. The earlier in the season, the better, ideally before new growth emerges.
Know Your Shrubs:
Different shrubs have different pruning requirements, so get to know the plants in your garden. If you care about flowering and/or fruit-set, it’s good to know if your shrub blooms on old wood or on new growth. This helps determine the best time and approach for pruning.
🌸 Spring Flowering Shrubs
Shrubs that bloom in the Spring bloom on old wood. These shrubs should not be pruned until right after they flower if you care about flowering. If you prune too early in Spring, you are cutting off flower buds, and if you wait too long after flowering, you may be cutting off next year’s flower buds.
🌺 Summer Flowering Shrubs
Most shrubs that bloom in the summer flower on new wood, but there are some exceptions (like Oakleaf Hydrangea and older varieties of Macrophylla Hydrangeas). These can be pruned in the Spring, or after they are done blooming in the Fall.
🍒 Fruit Producing Shrubs
Avoid pruning buds off fruiting shrubs. Instead, prune to encourage the development of fruit-bearing branches. Focus on promoting good growth and remove excessive shoots inside the plant. This helps ensure that sunlight and air reaches all parts of the plant for better air flow and fruiting.
The Right Tools:
To minimize the risk of damage to your plants, use high-quality pruning tools for clean cuts. Sharp bypass pruners are best for cutting small branches, and loppers are good for thicker branches. It’s also a good habit to sterilize your pruners between plants to prevent spreading plant diseases.
What to Prune:
🌿 Dead, Diseased, Damaged - Start by removing any dead or diseased branches, and prune out any damaged or crossing branches.
🌿 Selective Pruning - Some people are tempted to give shrubs a drastic haircut with a hedge trimmer, but it's better for the plants to prune with purpose and restraint. Try to keep the natural shape and form of the plant but remove any overly vigorous or wayward growth. Selective pruning encourages branching and a balanced structure.
🌿 Renewal Pruning - For overgrown or neglected shrubs, rejuvenation pruning can be helpful. This involves cutting the entire shrub back to a few inches above the ground, which encourages fresh growth from the base. It’s is a drastic approach, especially at first, but it can revitalize struggling or old shrubs.
🌿 Take it Slow - Pruning should be deliberate and thoughtful, so take your time and assess each plant before making any cuts. Step back periodically to evaluate and ensure that you're achieving the desired shape and structure.
Hedging
:
Not all shrubs are suitable for hedging. If you hedge the wrong type of shrubs they can be stressed by it and suffer decline that can last for years. How do you know if your shrubs are ideal for hedging?
Shrubs with dense branching and foliage, fast growth rate, naturally compact growth form and are more tolerant of frequent pruning and shaping than others are good for hedging.
Evergreen shrubs like Boxwood, Yew, and round types of Arborvitae are well-suited for hedging. Deciduous shrubs that can be used for hedges include Privet, Holly, Burning bush Viburnum, Lilac, Forsythia, Dogwood, and Clethra.
Follow these spring pruning tips, and ensure that your shrubs are ready for a season of healthy growth and abundant blooms. Happy pruning!
